Michael Finewax

The Week Ahead

Five Games for the Bruins!

Jordan Eberle will miss the next two-three weeks with a knee injury. It cost him an All-Star spot as the Oilers were informed that both Eberle and the injured Ryan Nugent-Hopkins would have made a team. Tom Gilbert will be out a month with a knee injury suffered when hit from behind by the Blackhawks Daniel Carcillo. Edmonton has been impressed with the play of 28-year-old Corey Potter, so much so that they rewarded the rookie with a two-year, one-way contract. Magnus Pajaarvi had a goal and nine points in 10 AHL games and was recalled by the Oilers.

FLORIDA

Games this week

vs. Boston, @ Colorado, @ Chicago, @ Winnipeg

Notes

The Panthers play four times this week, including three games in four nights so Jose Theodore should be back and ready to share the net with Scott Clemmensen. Theodore suffered a knee injury while call up Jacob Markstrom also suffered a knee injury, forcing the recall of Brian Foster to back up Clemmensen this past week. Florida will be tired on Saturday when they face the rested Jets as the Panthers play in Chicago Friday. Brian Campbell returns to Chicago for the first time since his off-season trade from the Windy City. Kris Versteeg has 39 points in 41 games this season but only two points in his last seven games. Marco Sturm has missed a month of action with a concussion and has yet to even start skating.

LOS ANGELES

Games this week

@ Vancouver, vs. Calgary, vs. Colorado

Notes

Slava Voynov returned to the Kings blueline after missing four games with an upper body injury. Simon Gagne could miss the rest of the season with his latest concussion and his career could be in doubt as well. In the freakiest of accidents, Dustin Penner missed a game with back spasms. It happened when he reached for a stack of pancakes at breakfast. Needless to say, the incident has made the papers everywhere, but Penner has been a good sport about it.

MINNESOTA

Games this week

@ Philadelphia, @ Toronto, @ Dallas

Notes

The Wild will be rested on Saturday when they play the Stars who will be tired after playing Tampa Bay the previous night. Devin Setoguchi was benched for one game this past week as he overslept and missed a team meeting. He responded by scoring on Thursday for his ninth goal of the season. Pierre-Marc Bouchard is out of action with yet another concussion but does not think his career is in jeopardy. He also has a groin injury but obviously it is the concussion that is the major concern. Marco Scandella was sent to the minors after going minus-nine his last eight games. Coach Mike Yeo said that Scandella was afraid to make a mistake so a stint in the AHL should help his confidence.

MONTREAL

Games this week

vs. Washington, @ Pittsburgh, @ Toronto

Notes

The Canadiens play three games in four nights so expect to see Peter Budaj between the pipes once instead of Carey Price. The Habs are the tired team once this week and are rested on the other two nights while their opponent are tired. They are rested on Wednesday and Friday when they take on a tired Washington and Pittsburgh squad as Washington play the Islanders on Tuesday while the Penguins take on the Rangers in New York Thursday. They are the tired team Saturday when facing Toronto at the Air Canada Centre after playing the Penguins Friday. The Canadiens dealt Michael Cammalleri to Calgary one day after Cammalleri blasted his teammates as playing like ‘losers’. Brian Gionta is out after requiring surgery to repair a tear in his bicep, while Scott Gomez is close to returning.

NASHVILLE

Games this week

@ New York Islanders, @ New York Rangers, @ Columbus, vs. Chicago

Notes

The Predators play four games this week including three in four so look for Pekka Rinne to get one night off. The Predators recalled Jeremy Smith from the minors and sent Anders Lindback to Milwaukee of the AHL to give Lindback some playing time but if Rinne is to get a night off, Nashville could recall Lindback to get the start. They are a tired team on Tuesday when facing the rested New York Rangers after playing the Islanders the day before. Ryan Ellis may be up in the NHL for only a short time but has shown his offensive flair from the blueline. The Predators are in contract talks with UFA to be Ryan Suter but would have no problem trading him if they determine he is unsignable.

NEW JERSEY

Games this week

vs. Winnipeg, vs. Boston, vs. Philadelphia

Notes

The Devils start a six game home stand with all three games at home this week. They are the rested team Tuesday when Winnipeg comes to town after the Jets are in Ottawa Monday. Travis Zajac is still having some problems with his Achilles tendon as he had off-season surgery to repair the original damage and will be rested for the next two weeks. Adam Henrique is a Calder Trophy contender who keeps on getting better and better. He has 13 goals and 34 points and sits just one point away from the injured Ryan Nugent-Hopkins for the point lead among rookies. Zach Parise can become a UFA in July so his name will continue to pop up in trade talks.

NEW YORK ISLANDERS

Games this week

vs. Nashville, @ Washington, @ Philadelphia, vs. Carolina

Notes

The Islanders play four times this week including three games in four nights so look for Evegni Nabokov and whoever is backing him up to share the net. Nabokov has started the last 10 games as Rick DiPietro and Al Montoya are disabled due to a groin and concussion injury respectively. Kevin Poulin is now the back up as he replaced Anders Nilsson on the bench this past week. The Islanders will be the tired team on Tuesday in Washington after playing Nashville Monday while they will be rested on Saturday against a tired Hurricanes team who face the Capitals Friday. Matt Moulson continues his hot play as he now has 37 points in 41 games including 20 goals.

NEW YORK RANGERS

Games this week

vs. Nashville, vs. Pittsburgh, @ Boston

Notes

The Rangers are rested on Tuesday when they play a tired team from Nashville who are on Long Island Monday. Erik Christensen was sent to the minors on a conditioning stint as he has been a healthy scratch since December 17. Marc Staal is rounding into form after missing almost three months of the season with a concussion. Brandon Prust leads the Rangers in penalty minutes with Brandon Dubinsky second.

OTTAWA

Games this week

vs. Winnipeg, @ Toronto, @ San Jose, @ Anaheim

Notes

The Senators play three games in four nights as part of their four game schedule. Alexander Auld will likely get one start for the surprising Senators with Craig Anderson playing three times. The Senators have been the hottest team in the NHL of late and are now in a playoff spot in the East. They are tired on Tuesday when they face their rivals from Toronto after playing the Winnipeg Jets on Monday. Erik Karlsson caused his fantasy owners a little panic as he was a late scratch on Tuesday due to a lower body injury but he was back in the lineup on Thursday. Jason Spezza is among the scoring leaders as he is tied for seventh with 46 points including 18 goals.

The Boston Bruins play five times this week, the first time a team has played five times in a Monday-Sunday week since last season when the St. Louis Blues played five times during the week of February 21-27.

The difference was that one of the games was re-scheduled due to weather as the Blues were slated to meet Colorado.

This week’s quirk is the first five game scheduled week since March 3-9, 2008 and it was the Bruins again, although then they had three home games and two away rather than the four away games this week.

At the other end of the spectrum, the Vancouver Canucks, the Bruins opponents in the 2011 Stanley Cup Final, play only twice so if you have similar players on both teams, the choice is easy.

The Ducks lost both their goaltenders last weekend when Dan Ellis and then Jonas Hiller went down. Anaheim first called up Iiro Tarkki and he was forced into action when Hiller down on Sunday. He gave up three goals on only nine shots but got the win in a 7-4 Anaheim victory. The Ducks then recalled Jeff Deslauriers from the minors and gave him the start Tuesday in a 5-2 win. Hiller returned to action on Thursday,while the Ducks sent Tarkki back to the minors. Saku Koivu picked up his second career hat trick in the 5-2 win while Teemu Selanne scored the 650th goal of his illustrious career in the same game. Rumors are still abound that Bobby Ryan is the likeliest Duck star to be moved.

It will be a busy week for the Bruins as we mentioned up top, with the five game sked. Tim Thomas and Tuukka Rask will split the net with Rask likely getting two games. The Bruins will be a tired team on Tuesday when they face a rested Lightning team in Tampa Bay after playing the Panthers across the state of Florida Monday. A little controversy in the Vancouver-Boston game on Saturday as Brad Marchand low bridged Sami Salo and picked up a five game suspension as a result. Salo will likely be gone longer than that with a concussion. Shawn Thornton has fantasy relevance in pools that use penalty minutes as a category. He has eight points including four goals and has spent 74 minutes in the sin bin.

BUFFALO

Games this week

@ Detroit, @ Chicago, @ Winnipeg, @ St. Louis

Notes

The Sabres play all four games on the road this week and play three games in four nights so expect to see Jhonas Enroth between the pipes at least once in place of Ryan Miller, who has struggled this season. The Sabres will be tired on Thursday when they play a rested Winnipeg team in the Manitoba capital after playing in Chicago on Wednesday night. Trade rumors are swirling around Derek Roy at this time. Christian Ehrhoff (upper body) should return this week. Derek Roy was scheduled to return to action on Friday after missing a couple of games. Thomas Vanek left Tuesday’s game early with a bout of food poisoning. If he is unable to play Friday, Luke Adam will take his spot on the top line alongside Jochen Hecht and Jason Pominville.

CALGARY

Games this week

@ San Jose, @ Los Angeles, @ Edmonton

Notes

The Flames are back on the road for three this week. It’s unbelievable but defenseman Mark Giordano is back after it was thought he would be out the rest of the season with a ruptured tendon in his leg. Jarome Iginla hit the 500 goal mark for his career on Saturday, becoming only the 42nd NHL player to do so. The Flames top line consists of Iginla, Olli Jokinen and Curtis Glencross and they have been flying of late. Glencross has 18 goals and 33 points in 42 games including six goals on the power play. The Flames made a nice trade for themselves on Thursday, dealing Rene Bourque to Montreal and re-acquiring Michael Cammalleri, who had 80 points for them in his one season in Calgary.

CAROLINA

Games this week

@ Pittsburgh, vs. Washington, @ New York Islanders

Notes

Carolina will be tired on Saturday when they face the rested Islanders in New York after playing Washington Friday. The Hurricanes are at the bottom of the NHL standings and should be sellers as the trade deadline approaches. There could be great news on the weekend as Jeff Skinner is expected to return from his concussion after missing 15 games. Staal has 10 goals and 33 points but even a plus-three on Thursday only lowered his plus/minus to a still horrid minus-22.

CHICAGO

Games this week

vs. Buffalo, vs. Florida, @ Nashville

Notes

The Blackhawks play three games in four nights so expect to see Ray Emery play once in place of Corey Crawford. Viktor Stalberg loves playing against the Columbus Blue Jackets as seven of his 11 goals this season have come against the club. Daniel Carcillo could need surgery on his knee. Patrick Sharp will miss the next three-four weeks with a wrist injury and that can only help rookie Jimmy Hayes in his quest to stay in the Chicago lineup. Hayes took a big step on Thursday with a power play goal and an assist and now has four points in seven games. Jonathan Toews has 23 goals this season to lead the Blackhawks.

COLORADO

Games this week

@ Phoenix, vs. Florida, @ Los Angeles, @ Anaheim

Notes

Colorado plays four times this week but not three in four nights. Nevertheless, look for Semyon Varlamov and Jean-Sebastien Giguere to share the net, a system that has worked great for the Avalanche since the beginning of December. Peter Mueller was taken off the injured reserve list after missing all but three games this season with a concussion that forced him to sit out all last year. Cody McLeod hit the 100 mark in penalty minutes for the fifth consecutive year on Thursday. He is obviously worth owning in pools that use PIMs as a category.

COLUMBUS

Games this week

vs. Edmonton, vs. Nashville, @ Detroit

Notes

The Blue Jackets fired coach Scott Arniel on Monday and replaced him with former Minnesota head coach Todd Richards on an interim basis. Jeff Carter is out after separating his shoulder on Sunday. Goaltender Mark Dekanich finally got into a game this past week in the AHL, his first action on the ice since last season as he has been fighting hip and groin injuries. He could be recalled soon and it could be bad news for Steve Mason once he does return. Rick Nash has only 14 goals and 29 points and has little fantasy value if plus/minus is a category in your pool as he is minus-22.

DALLAS

Games this week

@ St. Louis, vs. Detroit, vs. Tampa Bay, vs. Minnesota

Notes

Dallas plays four times this week but not three games in four nights but expect to see Richard Bachman play once in place of Kari Lehtonen. The Stars will be a tired team on Saturday when they face a rested Wild team who will likely be in the stands to watch Dallas play Tampa Bay the previous night. Mike Ribeiro is out with a slight tear in his right MCL. Sheldon Souray returned to action on Tuesday after missing a couple of weeks with an ankle injury. Jamie Benn was the NHL’s first star of the week with four goals and seven points in three games but was disappointed on Thursday when the Stars sent his older brother Jordie back to the minors.

DETROIT

Games this week

vs. Buffalo, @ Dallas, @ Phoenix, vs. Columbus

Notes

The Red Wings play four times this week including three games in four nights so Ty Conklin should get one start with Jimmy Howard playing in the other three. They will be rested on Thursday when they play in Phoenix while the Coyotes are in Anaheim Wednesday to play the Ducks. Jan Mursak was recalled after playing six games in the AHL. It was thought that Mursak would make the team out of training camp but a fractured ankle halted that thought. He replaced Todd Bertuzzi in the lineup after Bertuzzi suffered a lower body injury. Johan Franzen has 17 goals and 37 points in 43 games.

EDMONTON

Games this week

@ Columbus, @ St. Louis, vs. Calgary

Notes

Jordan Eberle will miss the next two-three weeks with a knee injury. It cost him an All-Star spot as the Oilers were informed that both Eberle and the injured Ryan Nugent-Hopkins would have made a team. Tom Gilbert will be out a month with a knee injury suffered when hit from behind by the Blackhawks Daniel Carcillo. Edmonton has been impressed with the play of 28-year-old Corey Potter, so much so that they rewarded the rookie with a two-year, one-way contract. Magnus Pajaarvi had a goal and nine points in 10 AHL games and was recalled by the Oilers.

FLORIDA

Games this week

vs. Boston, @ Colorado, @ Chicago, @ Winnipeg

Notes

The Panthers play four times this week, including three games in four nights so Jose Theodore should be back and ready to share the net with Scott Clemmensen. Theodore suffered a knee injury while call up Jacob Markstrom also suffered a knee injury, forcing the recall of Brian Foster to back up Clemmensen this past week. Florida will be tired on Saturday when they face the rested Jets as the Panthers play in Chicago Friday. Brian Campbell returns to Chicago for the first time since his off-season trade from the Windy City. Kris Versteeg has 39 points in 41 games this season but only two points in his last seven games. Marco Sturm has missed a month of action with a concussion and has yet to even start skating.

LOS ANGELES

Games this week

@ Vancouver, vs. Calgary, vs. Colorado

Notes

Slava Voynov returned to the Kings blueline after missing four games with an upper body injury. Simon Gagne could miss the rest of the season with his latest concussion and his career could be in doubt as well. In the freakiest of accidents, Dustin Penner missed a game with back spasms. It happened when he reached for a stack of pancakes at breakfast. Needless to say, the incident has made the papers everywhere, but Penner has been a good sport about it.

MINNESOTA

Games this week

@ Philadelphia, @ Toronto, @ Dallas

Notes

The Wild will be rested on Saturday when they play the Stars who will be tired after playing Tampa Bay the previous night. Devin Setoguchi was benched for one game this past week as he overslept and missed a team meeting. He responded by scoring on Thursday for his ninth goal of the season. Pierre-Marc Bouchard is out of action with yet another concussion but does not think his career is in jeopardy. He also has a groin injury but obviously it is the concussion that is the major concern. Marco Scandella was sent to the minors after going minus-nine his last eight games. Coach Mike Yeo said that Scandella was afraid to make a mistake so a stint in the AHL should help his confidence.

MONTREAL

Games this week

vs. Washington, @ Pittsburgh, @ Toronto

Notes

The Canadiens play three games in four nights so expect to see Peter Budaj between the pipes once instead of Carey Price. The Habs are the tired team once this week and are rested on the other two nights while their opponent are tired. They are rested on Wednesday and Friday when they take on a tired Washington and Pittsburgh squad as Washington play the Islanders on Tuesday while the Penguins take on the Rangers in New York Thursday. They are the tired team Saturday when facing Toronto at the Air Canada Centre after playing the Penguins Friday. The Canadiens dealt Michael Cammalleri to Calgary one day after Cammalleri blasted his teammates as playing like ‘losers’. Brian Gionta is out after requiring surgery to repair a tear in his bicep, while Scott Gomez is close to returning.

NASHVILLE

Games this week

@ New York Islanders, @ New York Rangers, @ Columbus, vs. Chicago

Notes

The Predators play four games this week including three in four so look for Pekka Rinne to get one night off. The Predators recalled Jeremy Smith from the minors and sent Anders Lindback to Milwaukee of the AHL to give Lindback some playing time but if Rinne is to get a night off, Nashville could recall Lindback to get the start. They are a tired team on Tuesday when facing the rested New York Rangers after playing the Islanders the day before. Ryan Ellis may be up in the NHL for only a short time but has shown his offensive flair from the blueline. The Predators are in contract talks with UFA to be Ryan Suter but would have no problem trading him if they determine he is unsignable.

NEW JERSEY

Games this week

vs. Winnipeg, vs. Boston, vs. Philadelphia

Notes

The Devils start a six game home stand with all three games at home this week. They are the rested team Tuesday when Winnipeg comes to town after the Jets are in Ottawa Monday. Travis Zajac is still having some problems with his Achilles tendon as he had off-season surgery to repair the original damage and will be rested for the next two weeks. Adam Henrique is a Calder Trophy contender who keeps on getting better and better. He has 13 goals and 34 points and sits just one point away from the injured Ryan Nugent-Hopkins for the point lead among rookies. Zach Parise can become a UFA in July so his name will continue to pop up in trade talks.

NEW YORK ISLANDERS

Games this week

vs. Nashville, @ Washington, @ Philadelphia, vs. Carolina

Notes

The Islanders play four times this week including three games in four nights so look for Evegni Nabokov and whoever is backing him up to share the net. Nabokov has started the last 10 games as Rick DiPietro and Al Montoya are disabled due to a groin and concussion injury respectively. Kevin Poulin is now the back up as he replaced Anders Nilsson on the bench this past week. The Islanders will be the tired team on Tuesday in Washington after playing Nashville Monday while they will be rested on Saturday against a tired Hurricanes team who face the Capitals Friday. Matt Moulson continues his hot play as he now has 37 points in 41 games including 20 goals.

NEW YORK RANGERS

Games this week

vs. Nashville, vs. Pittsburgh, @ Boston

Notes

The Rangers are rested on Tuesday when they play a tired team from Nashville who are on Long Island Monday. Erik Christensen was sent to the minors on a conditioning stint as he has been a healthy scratch since December 17. Marc Staal is rounding into form after missing almost three months of the season with a concussion. Brandon Prust leads the Rangers in penalty minutes with Brandon Dubinsky second.

OTTAWA

Games this week

vs. Winnipeg, @ Toronto, @ San Jose, @ Anaheim

Notes

The Senators play three games in four nights as part of their four game schedule. Alexander Auld will likely get one start for the surprising Senators with Craig Anderson playing three times. The Senators have been the hottest team in the NHL of late and are now in a playoff spot in the East. They are tired on Tuesday when they face their rivals from Toronto after playing the Winnipeg Jets on Monday. Erik Karlsson caused his fantasy owners a little panic as he was a late scratch on Tuesday due to a lower body injury but he was back in the lineup on Thursday. Jason Spezza is among the scoring leaders as he is tied for seventh with 46 points including 18 goals.

PHILADELPHIA

Games this week

vs. Minnesota, vs. New York Islanders, @ New Jersey, vs. Boston

Notes

The Flyers play three games in four nights so expect to see both Sergei Bobrovsky and Ilya Bryzgalov to share the crease this week. There is a goaltending controversy going on in Philadelphia as they signed Bryzgalov to a long-term contract in the off-season thinking that he was the goalie to carry them deep into the playoffs but he has not played well this season with a 3.07 GAA and a .891 save percentage. His record is fine at 16-9-3 but that says more about the team in front of him than his play. Bobrovsky on the other hand is 10-3-1 with a 2.42 GAA and a .921 save percentage. It doesn’t take a PhD to figure out who has played better. Claude Giroux has been in a bit of a slump with one assist and a minus-five rating in his last four games.

PHOENIX

Games this week

Vs. Colorado, @ Anaheim, vs. Detroit, vs. Tampa Bay

Notes

The Coyotes play four games this week including three games in four days so expect to see Jason LaBarbera to play once in place of Mike Smith. The Coyotes will be tired on Thursday when they face the Red Wings after Phoenix play in Anaheim Wednesday. They will be the rested team on Saturday when Tampa Bay comes to town after the Lightning are in Dallas Friday. Phoenix claimed Gilbert Brule off waivers this past week and they hope that they are the team who can make the former sixth overall pick in the 2005 Entry Draft go, after he failed in Columbus and Edmonton. Martin Hanzal is still out of action but should be close to returning.

PITTSBURGH

Games this week

vs. Calgary, @ New York Rangers, vs. Montreal, vs. Washington

Notes

The Penguins play three games in four nights as part of their four game sked so expect to see Brent Johnson play once instead of Marc-Andre Fleury. They are a tired team Friday against the Canadiens as they are in New York Thursday to play the Rangers. All the injuries the Penguins have absorbed this season have finally taken their toll as Pittsburgh is now ninth in the East after losing six straight. Sidney Crosby is expected to start skating this weekend as he is still out with a concussion. Kris Letang (concussion) is also progressing as he skated on Monday, but there is no timetable for his return. The Penguins thought they lost James Neal for weeks with a broken foot but it turned out to be a deep bruise and the tough winger didn’t miss a game.

ST. LOUIS

Games this week

vs. Dallas, vs. Edmonton, vs. Buffalo

Notes

The Blues upper management has made the best coaching move in season with Ken Hitchcock taking over from Davis Payne. The Blues were 6-7-0 when the move was made and have gone 19-5-6 since. The only blemish on their record is that they are 0-5 in shootouts this season. Their goaltending tandem of Jaroslav Halak and Brian Elliott have been sensational this season and seem to push each other in a good way. The return of David Perron to the lineup has helped as the forward missed 13 months with a concussion before returning in December. He has 13 points in 18 games thus far although he has gone pointless in his last four.

SAN JOSE

Games this week

vs. Calgary, vs. Ottawa, @ Vancouver

Notes

Logan Couture is the only San Jose Shark to make the All-Star game and it will be a nice homecoming as he played his junior hockey with the Ottawa 67s. Ryane Clowe will have to wear a cage for at least part of the upcoming week after injuring his nose Tuesday. Antti Niemi has been great this season with a 19-7-5 record, a 2.26 GAA and a .920 save percentage. James Sheppard is skating again after taking six weeks off. He is trying to return from ATV accident that occurred in September 2010. He has not played since.

TAMPA BAY

Games this week

vs. Boston, @ Dallas, @ Phoenix

Notes

The Lightning will be a rested team on Tuesday when they face a tired Boston squad who are in Florida to play the Panthers on Monday. The Lightning will be on the other side of the coin Saturday when they are tired and face a rested Phoenix team after Tampa Bay play in Dallas Friday. Adam Hall will be out for up to two months with a torn muscle in his forearm and that will hurt your fantasy team if you use him in the faceoff category. The Lightning’s goaltending situation continues to be in shambles with Dwayne Roloson and Mathieu Garon struggling and costing Tampa Bay valuable points. Brett Connolly returned from the World Junior tournament and is plus-two with no points in the three games.

TORONTO

Games this week

vs. Ottawa, vs. Minnesota, vs. Montreal

Notes

The Maple Leafs get a big break in two of their three games this week as they will be the rested team facing a tired opponent. It starts on Tuesday against the Senators as Ottawa faces Winnipeg on Monday, while they face a tired Montreal team Saturday as the Habs play in Pittsburgh on Friday. Jonas Gustavsson owns the net right now as James Reimer patiently awaits his next chance to play. Gustavsson is not making it easy for Ron Wilson to make a change as he has two shutouts in his last three games. Joffrey Lupul was the NHL’s second star of the week with two goals and seven points in three games. He is one of three Maple Leafs going to the All-Star game, as linemate Phil Kessel and defenseman Dion Phaneuf will join him.

VANCOUVER

Games this week

vs. Los Angeles, vs. San Jose

Notes

The Canucks are the only team in the NHL to play only twice this week, so I suggest benching all your Canucks with the exception of Daniel and Henrik Sedin, Ryan Kesler and Alex Burrows up front and Alexander Edler and Kevin Bieksa on the blueline. David Booth is close to returning as he has medical clearance from the Canucks medical staff but still doesn’t feel comfortable to come back from a knee injury. Sami Salo could be out for a while with a concussion courtesy of Brad Marchand who was suspended five games for his misdeed. Alexander Edler has seven goals and 32 points this season including 17 points on the power play.

WASHINGTON

Games this week

vs. New York Islanders, @ Montreal, @ Carolina, @ Pittsburgh

Notes

The Capitals play four games this week including three in four. Michal Neuvirth should play at least once for starter Tomas Vokoun. The Capitals are rested on Tuesday when they play a tired Islanders team who face off against Nashville Monday, while the tables are turned Wednesday when Washington plays a rested Montreal team. The Capitals placed the injury-prone Mike Green on the long-term injured reserve list, making Green ineligible to return from his nagging groin injury until February 1. Nicklas Backstrom is out with a head injury. Brooks Laich replaced him at center on the top line.

WINNIPEG

Games this week

@ Ottawa, @ New Jersey, vs. Buffalo, vs. Florida

Notes

The Jets play three games in four nights so Chris Mason should get at least one start in place of Ondrej Pavelec. They are tired on Tuesday when they play New Jersey after facing Ottawa on Monday, but they are rested Thursday when they are home to Buffalo who are in Chicago Wednesday and are rested once again Saturday in against the Panthers, who are also playing the Blackhawks the previous night. Dustin Byfuglien is still out with a lower body injury and now Zach Bogosian is out with a lower body injury. Blake Wheeler leads the Jets with 32 points, one ahead of Evander Kane. Wheeler also has a plus-10 rating, giving him plenty of fantasy value.